ProfSparks Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 (edited) Hi All I've heard that if you want to build a kit with little (or preferably no) cleaning up and part fettling, then look towards Tamiya. I've had this one a little while, another of the 'part started' haul, but three little words have put me off so far. Yup, "Silver Color Plated" Mind your eyes... Wowza indeed. In theory, it's a good way to get a no hassle metallic surface, but in practice the seams will be impossible to sand smooth without removing the shine. However, it's a robust surface that will probably withstand some poking about, so I'm hoping to get some practice on chipping a paint covering from it. The subject will be T. J. Christian's E2*C "Lou IV" 💛 Comments, suggestions, and sunglasses welcome Cheers Steve Edited April 21, 2022 by ProfSparks 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.au Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Should be interesting! If you’re doing E2C the fillet in front of the fin should come off, making an instant repair requirement for the chrome plate! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted April 22, 2022 Author Share Posted April 22, 2022 12 hours ago, mark.au said: Should be interesting! If you’re doing E2C the fillet in front of the fin should come off, making an instant repair requirement for the chrome plate! D'oh ! Yes, I see that now. In that case, it will be Scheme D from the same boxing Urban L. Drew, 361st FG 375th FS. Cheers Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 Hi All Slight progress in the form of Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green that looks slightly less than YZC, and AK Interactive AK-2018 Aircraft Grey Green that looks slightly more green I'd sprayed black on the cockpit interior and masked for the AK green, and on removing the tape... That's encouraging, the paint flaking off cleanly The interior was given some daubs of colour And given a rough poke with a bristly brush, a grimy wash, and a flat coat I'll fit harness before I close her up The wheel wells received less agro, with some light stabbing And then the grimy wash and flat coat So far it's all going according to plan! Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 blimey... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted June 3, 2022 Author Share Posted June 3, 2022 Hi All Cockpit internal secured with superglue after scraping off the silver And the sides together similar fashion Overall the fit is excellent, and the non bling version should just fall together I'll spray the places I've rubbed off the mirror before doing the paint. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 Hi All Topside done in Vallejo VA71.043 Olive Drab Approximate locations of markings placed And the wavy demarcation lines VA71.062 Aluminium applied and the masking removed However, a quick freehand touch up with the OD again and it's acceptable to me for what it is I'll let her sit for a little while before moving to the decals Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 That’s better, I can take off my sunglasses now. John. 🇺🇦 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 Hi All A tentative start on the next phase, markings. I'd considered masking and spraying the stripes, better to chip with, but the prospect of the masking removing great swathes of already applied paint put me off. However, the Tamiya decals are in many parts and quite thick. As a test I applied the lower fuselage stripes (there are separate white bands still to go either side of the black stripes) and soused them in Draco Strong overnight. They settled reasonably well, at least enough to see the engraved panel lines, so I dragged the pointy end of an etch sawblade along. That's encouraging, along the lines of what I was after, so I'll gradually stick on the rest of the jigsaw and see how it goes. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted February 4, 2023 Author Share Posted February 4, 2023 Hi All Bear with me on this... I eventually got the rest of the mosaic decals stuck on, and started picking out some panel lines. Well, you know how it is with wallpaper or that little bit of skin beside your fingernail, one little thing leads to another, and before you know it you have to redecorate or end up in A&E. So anyway, I got carried away with the scraping. I'm pretty sure the wings didn't have exposed lines as they were probably filled in for airflow, but by this stage I wasn't going to let accuracy get in the way. As I had that wonderful A.MIG-1005 Dark Brown Wash For Green Vehicles to hand, I gave the grooves some toning down, followed by a coat of W&N Matt varnish. All that was left was to add on the canopy, and fly her into the bin. Mmm, still Shiny! I may put in those lights before some final shots while I remember. Thso, for those contemplating getting this kit, here are a few pointers:- 1) Don't get this "Silver Color Plated" version, get the standard plastic one. 2) Scrape off ALL the plating on ALL the mating surfaces, as not even CA holds them together. 3) Don't get this "Silver Color Plated" version, get the standard plastic one. 4) Paint as many of the markings as you can, as the decals are thick, overly fragmented, and brittle 5) Don't get this "Silver Color Plated" version, get the standard plastic one. 6) Try not to handle it once painted, as there is very little paint adhesion. 7) Don't get this "Silver Color Plated" version, get the standard plastic one. Anyhoo, that's one more out of the way, just those other two left. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 Looking suitably scruffy now. A nitpick if I may, the leading edges of the wing flaps ( where they slide under the wing when raised ) was usually left unpainted. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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